[E.B. O'Callaghan (ed.) (1856)] institution which, it is but faint praise to say, has more than fulfilled the high hopes entertained of its future value and influence, by its projectors, in the year 1804. Exerting itself laudably in times of difficulty — struggling with adversity, and braving obstacles — its important objects gradually became appreciated by the public; and in the year 1814 a memoi'ial, drawn up by the late Governor De Witt Clinton, then vice-president of the society, stating in a clear and masterly manner the objects of the institution, was presented to the Legislature, and was so favorably received as to induce the grant of twelve thousand dollars in aid of the funds of the society. Its library to this day remains a noble monument of the munificence of the State and of the liberality of individuals. " ' In this memorial, the prescient mind of Clinton suggested, in effect, the measure which it was left to after days to see carried into execution. Referring to the gaps and deficiencies in our own existing records, the papers of the Dutch West India Company and the archives of the then government of the Netherlands were pointed out as the sources whence materials for the Dutch portion of our history were to be obtained; and the recoi'ds of the Plantation Office (Board of Trade) in London, and tlie library of the British Museum, were also alluded to, as affording an important and inestimable fund of information respecting the period of our subjection to the Crown of Great Britain.